Effective July 1, 2009, Coosa Valley Technical College (CVTC) and Northwestern Technical College (NTC) will become Georgia Northwestern Technical College.

The new name was approved today by Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Commissioner Ron Jackson.

“The state board of the TCSG and Commissioner Ron Jackson authorized our local boards to determine the name of the newly merged college,” stated CVTC President Dr. Craig McDaniel. 

The local board of directors for both colleges voted to approve Georgia Northwestern Technical College as the new name of the merged college at their December board meetings.

“We feel this name represents both a descriptive and unifying beginning for our merged institution. Each board was willing to give up their attachment to the old names and come together to create a new name representing a college that will be greater than the mere sum of its parts," said Bob Berry, chair of CVTC’s board of directors.

Kathy Johnson, chair of NTC’s board of directors, says she believes the new name is a perfect fit. “We are pleased to announce ‘Georgia Northwestern Technical College’ as the new name,” Johnson said. “Having campuses in four of the counties we will serve really makes a huge statement on our commitment to our neighbors, students, and businesses alike.”

“We are in agreement that Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a name that is descriptive of the seven county regions we will be serving.  We have tremendous opportunities to expand workforce development and the programs that we offer,” said McDaniel.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College will serve Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Polk and Walker counties in Georgia.

“This is a new name for a growing college which represents our neighbors in the counties we directly serve here in Northwest Georgia,” said Jeff King, interim president of Northwestern Technical College.

When asked about both local boards approving the new name, McDaniel said that the board members have the students’ best interests at the forefront of everything they do.  “I have heard from so many board members that names and titles don’t matter, but what does matter is doing what is best for the students.  I appreciate the business-like approach they have taken to doing what is right for our students and the college.” 

McDaniel commented, “That’s why our local boards add so much value to what we do.  Every success we have is due in part to our local boards and we could not ask for more support from them.”

King echoed McDaniel’s comments.  “I am very proud of the work the boards have done to help make this merger, first and foremost, about our students, our neighbors,” said King.

The college will begin work on a new logo for the name and has tentative plans to unveil the name and logo in a ceremony on each campus in April 2009.

The two colleges together serve approximately 16,000 people through credit and noncredit programs.

McDaniel said that the mission of Georgia Northwestern Technical College will not change.   “Workforce development will remain at the forefront of everything we do.”

King agrees, “One thing that will not change is what we offer our students. They will continue to receive training for the careers which are available to them here in this region and beyond.”

“I think we have a very bright future,” said McDaniel.  “Once we merge our resources and come up with a strong marketing plan, I feel that we are going to have a chance to expand our program offerings, beyond what we offer now.  With the new college, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, I believe we’ll have an opportunity to impact 20,000 students a year, making us the largest college in Northwest Georgia.”

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